Wedding Planning: Control Expenses Early

Don't Get Screwed On Wedding Expenses

Don't believe the hype

Whether you're getting married on the beach or a giant downtown chapel, weddings are still big business. There are hundreds of variables, and each “premium” option you pick can subtly raise the price tag on your wedding day. That's why you need to be clear from the beginning about what matters to you — and what doesn't. You need to decide what details are really worth shelling out for and what to let slide. Otherwise, you'll be making these decisions in the moment, and asking the caterers if you really need a champagne parade is like asking a car salesman if you really need the premium stereo package.

Each of these people is a salesperson, and they will do their best to convince you that without whatever it is they're selling, your wedding day will be missing something. If you go to a salesman without an idea of what you want to buy, they will try to sell you something, and it may not be the right fit for you. So, decide what you're willing to splurge on, and don't shell out for X, Y or Z just because a wedding magazine says you need to. It's your day, so do what makes you happy.

Communicate early and often

So, if you understand the importance of deciding early, what should you do? You'll need a plan, and that means having a clear-headed discussion with your fiancee. Sit down together early and often to discuss your expenses. Get clear on your budget for the wedding, and if you're fortunate enough to have financial support from her parents, get clear on what scale is reasonable for them. Speak up, and talk about what's important to each of you. Most of the time, women have much stronger opinions on wedding planning than men.

This isn't just a gender issue; women have been targeted since they were kids with images of brides and massive banquet halls full of dancing guests. Given how much she’s been targeted by advertising, you might need to play the voice of reason. As a team, you need to pick and choose which parts of that fantasy are right for you, and what you can afford to save some money on.

wedding planning won't kill you

Like we said in the beginning, the key to wedded financial bliss is minimizing expenses early. We're not saying to eliminate them, just minimize: Identify what's unnecessary and unwanted — and get rid of it. This frees more of your money and energy for the things you do want to have. If something is important to you, by all means go for it. But don't let size distortion and pushy salespeople take more money from you than you can afford to spend. What truly matters at a wedding is the ceremony, and any happiness or enjoyment you can afford to share with your family and loved ones on top of that is a bonus.